Experiences of caregivers and individuals living with traumatic brain injury in accessing health information: a qualitative investigation.

Background/purpose: Rehabilitation and treatment of chronic symptoms of traumatic brain injury (TBI) present life-long challenges. This qualitative study aimed to understand the experience of individuals with TBI and caregivers in finding and using health information and to understand their interest in participating in research.

Methods: Participants were recruited through hospital listservs, websites, social media, and word of mouth from across the US.

Qualitative Investigation of Health Information Resources for Caregivers and Individuals Living With Spinal Cord Injury.

To identify the information networks of caregivers and individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) and how the health information is accessed and used. For this qualitative study, participants from the United States were recruited through hospital listservs, websites, social media, and word of mouth to participate in a phone interview. Fourteen individuals living with a traumatic SCI and 18 caregivers of individuals living with a traumatic SCI were interviewed using a semi-structured interview guide.

Examination of Health Information Needs of Caregivers of and Individuals with Burn Injuries.

Burns are a leading cause of trauma worldwide with about 450,000 burn injuries being treated at medical facilities in the United States each year. Finding relevant information on the long-term consequences of burn injuries is a significant challenge for many individuals with burn injuries and their caregivers. This qualitative study aimed to identify how individuals with burn injuries and caregivers of individuals with burn injuries prefer to access and use health information, identify obstacles to accessing useful information, and identify information most needed by burn survivors and caregivers.